Dear Editor: 



Because marriage is the foundation of our society and the first institution created by God, we, as pastors believe in the need to support the institution of marriage as God created it, the union of one man and one woman. 

As recorded in the Holy Scriptures; “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24 NIV. 



We also believe that under marriage, the institution of the family is the next most important institution of our society and one of the main reasons God created marriage.  We believe that children need both a mother and a father and same sex marriage denies them of either one or the other.  



It is important to realize that Ref. 71 is a cloak and dagger attempt to overturn our state’s Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defines marriage as between one man and one woman.  Proponents of Ref. 71 have stated that same sex marriage is their ultimate goal. 

Ref. 71 is strategically crafted to accomplish this by doing what similar legislation has done in other states, such as California passing legislation that places domestic partners on par with marriage, then filing a lawsuit to compel the courts under the equal protection amendments to overturn DOMA and redefine marriage to include same sex couples.  If it wasn’t for the voters of California passing Prop. 8, California would have same sex marriage. 



The definition of marriage, that being between the union of men and women, has existed in every culture and society since the beginning of humankind.   Even in cultures that had affirmed the overt practice of homosexuality, the definition of marriage was never changed to include same sex couples. 

We believe that changing the definition of marriage puts our society and nation at great risk, taking us down an untested path and defying God’s design.  



Because of these reasons, we urge the people of West Seattle to reject Ref. 71, so that the institution of marriage, family and society may be preserved.  



Our recommendation is not done in spite or aimed at the oppression of others, but out of love.  Love being that of desiring the highest good for all the men, women, and children in our community, both now and for generations to come. 

Once again, please vote to REJECT Ref. 71. 



Rev John Madigan, 
Holy Rosary Church

Pastor Sam Seumae, 
The Way Church of God



Pastor Randy Leskovar
, Calvary Chapel West Seattle